Tiny Greek village you won’t have heard of dubbed a coastal gem has £4 sunloungers and amazing seafood
BRIT holidaymakers probably won’t have heard of Sivota, a tiny harbour village in Greece.
Sivota is often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbour Corfu; however, it has all the trappings of a seaside holiday.
Located in Epirus Region in Greece, Sivota sits near other well-established beach towns like Praga.
While the tiny village isn’t on the main tourist trail in Greece, it is a popular stop on sailing holidays in Ionian.
This is largely thanks to its pretty beaches, lush coastline and crystal-clear waters.
Travel blog Travels & Wandering described Sivota as a “hidden gem” in northwestern Greece.
The fishing village is surrounded by several small islets, including Mavro Oros and Agios Nikolaos.
There are plenty of beaches within walking distance of Sivota, including Bella Vraka Beach.
Beach-goers will need to walk through shallow waters to reach the tiny beach, which is actually on the tiny island of Mourtemeno.
Other beaches in the area include Mega Ammos Beach, which is known for its snorkeling, Zavia Beach and Gallikos Molos Beach.
Gallikos Molos Beach is the closest beach to Sivota, it also has the most facilities of any of the neighbouring beaches with a beach bar.
Renting sunloungers and parasols at the beach cost just €5 (£4.20) per person, making it more affordable compared to the likes of Mykonos and Santorini, as reported by the Independent.
Three little-known Greek islands to visit
THERE are plenty of Greek islands to visit, including several little-known spots that are free from the crowds.
- Located in the Dodecanese Sea, Symi is a fairytale-like island home to traditional Greek villages and harbour-front bars and cafes. Reaching the tiny island became a lot more accessible after Jet2 announced the launch of a new route from the UK.
- Despite being twice the size of Mykonos, Tinos is often overlooked by most holidaymakers. But holiday demand for the island is predicted to grow thanks local food and sandy beaches.
- Meanwhile, the island of Paros has a wave of chic new hotels opening. The island has its own airport – making it much easier to visit than some other smaller islands in Greece that can only be accessed by ferry.
Visitors can also book onto boat trips where they’ll be able to explore some of the smaller islands, hidden coves and the Blue Lagoon.
Because of its coastal location, Sivota is known for its amazing seafood, with several restaurants only serving fish.
Spiridoula taverna has been named as Sivota’s number one seafood restaurant on TripAdvisor.
Other top-rated restaurants include 12 gods, which has views overlooking the harbour, and Odyssey Taverna.
There are a number of affordable hotels in Sivota, including LANGO LUXURY LIVING Sivota, which has £60 stays.
Direct flights operate from the UK to Preveza, the closest airport to Sivota.
EasyJet operates direct flights between London Gatwick and Preveza, with one-way fares from £33 in October.
Preveza Airport is a 90-minute drive from Sivota.
Alternatively, holidaymakers can fly from the UK to Corfu International Airport where they’ll be able to board a ferry from Corfu to Sivota.
A short history of Sivota
In ancient times, the area around Sivota was inhabited by the Thesprotians ( a Greek tribe).
The waters near Sivota were the site of the Battle of Sybota in 433 BC – a significant clash between the Corinthians and the Corcyraeans and one of the precursors to the Peloponnesian War.
During the Roman period, the region fell under Roman control and subsequently became part of the Byzantine Empire.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Sivota saw various invasions and occupations, including those by the Normans and the Venetians.
In the 15th century, Sivota, like much of Epirus, came under Ottoman rule, which lasted until the early 20th century.
The village and its surroundings became part of the modern Greek state following the Balkan Wars in the early 1910s.
In recent decades, Sivota has transformed from a quiet fishing village into a popular tourist destination, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and charming harbour.
If you don’t want to go this far, then a beautiful UK seaside town has been compared to a Greek island.
And another seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.